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lazypadawanBest. Concert. Ever!
Seriously, if you couldn't find a thing to love about this show or feel the least bit inspired, well, to paraphrase what Mojo Nixon once said about Michael J. Fox, there's no Star Wars in you.
The next best thing besides the music is seeing all of the little kids in their t-shirts, costumes, and lightsabers. I saw miniature clonetroopers, Leias, Padmés, a toddler Han Solo, a little Luke in his X-Wing flight suit, Darth Vaders, Boba Fetts, Jedi, etc.. Of course there were some grownups in costume too, heh heh.
Not me, though. I wore my H&M Star Wars tunic with my Paige leggings. Again I made the lame decision to leave my lightsaber at home, worried the staff might seize it or something. Turns out lots of people brought theirs with no hassle from the staff.
The exhibition was spread out throughout the concourse surrounding the arena, so I got to see quite a bit of it but not everything. I guess Plo Koon was on the other side of the arena, since he's one of the ones I missed. Oh well. What was there was mobbed. I held up my camera phone to take pictures.
I didn't buy any souvenirs...they were pricey and from what I understand, the stuff is cheaper from the Concert's online store.
The seats were further back than I thought but turned out to be pretty good. They were on the floor in those fold out chairs. We were in front of a thruway near the exit, so there was lots of legroom and it was easy to get in and out. Given some of the rather hefty concert goers parked nearby, we were pretty lucky none of them were next to us.
Oh yeah, the music! I've heard Star Wars music performed live a couple of times before and this crew is as good as the orchestra I saw with John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl in 2006. They run through Star Wars's greatest hits with the ever energetic Anthony Daniels narrating/hosting. It's basically a Cliffs Notes version of the saga with music, very similar to the DVD feature on the ROTS soundtrack CD. Sure you got your classics like "Imperial March" (our "Stairway to Heaven"), but I was very excited to hear stuff like "Across The Stars" live for the first time and the orchestra's rendition of "Battle of the Heroes" was absolutely perfect. They even did a fine version of "Cantina Theme." But they were all awesome.
This was of course performed in front of a big screen cut with scenes and concept art from all 6 movies. I might be hallucinating, but I think it's off of that ROTS CD/DVD feature almost verbatim. I've seen some comments about some jarring cuts but I also realize that to most regular folks, they all kind of blur together after a while. It was kind of neat to see repetitive themes tied together.
Funniest moment: when Luke and Leia kiss, everybody went, "Ewww."
If I had any downsides at all, I would have added even more tracks: "Han Solo and the Princess," "Augie's Great Municipal Band," "The Emperor's Theme," and "Victory Celebration" for example. Oh and I would have moved the irritating fanboys behind me up to the nosebleeds.
But it was a great show with a very enthused audience, helped along by alcohol. I saw a lot of people going around with tubs of beer, sipping wine, and having a few cocktails. What is this, a Jimmy Buffett show?
Seriously, if you couldn't find a thing to love about this show or feel the least bit inspired, well, to paraphrase what Mojo Nixon once said about Michael J. Fox, there's no Star Wars in you.
The next best thing besides the music is seeing all of the little kids in their t-shirts, costumes, and lightsabers. I saw miniature clonetroopers, Leias, Padmés, a toddler Han Solo, a little Luke in his X-Wing flight suit, Darth Vaders, Boba Fetts, Jedi, etc.. Of course there were some grownups in costume too, heh heh.
Not me, though. I wore my H&M Star Wars tunic with my Paige leggings. Again I made the lame decision to leave my lightsaber at home, worried the staff might seize it or something. Turns out lots of people brought theirs with no hassle from the staff.
The exhibition was spread out throughout the concourse surrounding the arena, so I got to see quite a bit of it but not everything. I guess Plo Koon was on the other side of the arena, since he's one of the ones I missed. Oh well. What was there was mobbed. I held up my camera phone to take pictures.
I didn't buy any souvenirs...they were pricey and from what I understand, the stuff is cheaper from the Concert's online store.
The seats were further back than I thought but turned out to be pretty good. They were on the floor in those fold out chairs. We were in front of a thruway near the exit, so there was lots of legroom and it was easy to get in and out. Given some of the rather hefty concert goers parked nearby, we were pretty lucky none of them were next to us.
Oh yeah, the music! I've heard Star Wars music performed live a couple of times before and this crew is as good as the orchestra I saw with John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl in 2006. They run through Star Wars's greatest hits with the ever energetic Anthony Daniels narrating/hosting. It's basically a Cliffs Notes version of the saga with music, very similar to the DVD feature on the ROTS soundtrack CD. Sure you got your classics like "Imperial March" (our "Stairway to Heaven"), but I was very excited to hear stuff like "Across The Stars" live for the first time and the orchestra's rendition of "Battle of the Heroes" was absolutely perfect. They even did a fine version of "Cantina Theme." But they were all awesome.
This was of course performed in front of a big screen cut with scenes and concept art from all 6 movies. I might be hallucinating, but I think it's off of that ROTS CD/DVD feature almost verbatim. I've seen some comments about some jarring cuts but I also realize that to most regular folks, they all kind of blur together after a while. It was kind of neat to see repetitive themes tied together.
Funniest moment: when Luke and Leia kiss, everybody went, "Ewww."
If I had any downsides at all, I would have added even more tracks: "Han Solo and the Princess," "Augie's Great Municipal Band," "The Emperor's Theme," and "Victory Celebration" for example. Oh and I would have moved the irritating fanboys behind me up to the nosebleeds.
But it was a great show with a very enthused audience, helped along by alcohol. I saw a lot of people going around with tubs of beer, sipping wine, and having a few cocktails. What is this, a Jimmy Buffett show?
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no subject
Date: 2010-05-29 09:31 am (UTC)Was particularly taken by a girl who sat next to me, with her boyfriend, and seemed to be the most excitable person I've ever seen in real life. In a charming way though. She was so enthusiastic, particularly regarding the prequel elements.
On the other hand, there was a tedious woman who sat behind me, and thought it would be acceptable to discuss, during the show, the journey she and her husband had made from Cork, where they'd parked, how difficult it had been, wasn't she great for having bought tickets to the show for his birthday (not if you won't shut up and let him enjoy it Lady). Eventually (and I really hate doing this... Really!), I had to turn around and ask her to be quite.
You're right, the ROTS Soundtrack DVD certainly formed the basis of the concert set-list, and the film clips were much the same, but there was some variation, and extension all the same. I agree though, that they could easily have added a few more pieces, but you know what they say; "Always leave 'em wanting more."
Overall, I'd say the parts relating to the original three movies were more appreciated, but that could just be my paranoia about these things.
But who cares, Great Show!
no subject
Date: 2010-05-29 02:05 pm (UTC)I noticed the same thing.
no subject
Date: 2010-05-29 01:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-29 02:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-01 02:01 am (UTC)i broke down and bought a shirt.
the highlight of the night for me was watching Anthony Daniels on stage left during the encore of the imperial march. he was bopping and singing along to the song to the trombonists and tuba players. even SW actors can be found singing "bum bum bum bumm ba bummm bumm ba BUMM"
no subject
Date: 2010-06-01 03:58 pm (UTC)